GURGAON: The Punjab and Haryana high court has allowed the defence counsel in the Maruti violence case of 2012 to recall witnesses from the company's management for questioning.

The next hearing is scheduled on March 14, when the HC will decide how many of the 12 management members will need to depose again.

"The witnesses are being recalled primarily for tendering suggestions regarding alleged weapons used, injuries sustained by different witnesses and other persons and the manner and circumstances pertaining to how the incident took place as they are material for the proper defense of the accused," the court said in its order on March 9.

Vrinda Grover, one of the defense lawyers on the case, said, "We want to put a few of these witnesses through some queries and we believe that their statements are of great importance while deciding the fate of the accused."

The trial court in Gurgaon, which is hearing the case, had earlier dismissed the defence's petition to recall the witnesses.

Labourers and labour unions have welcomed the HC's decision to reverse the trial court's decision, alleging many of the workers have been falsely accused in the case and many are not even being granted bail. The ones that have been released have found it difficult to land jobs due to their involvement in the case, they said.

"We are really happy that the court has approved our appeal. More than 100 labourers and the fate of their families is dependent on the judgment of this case. The recall of witnesses will surely help their case," Kuldeep Janghu, union leader of Maruti Suzuki Workers' Association, said.

Maurti officials declined to comment on the development, saying the case is between the state government and the workers. In July 2012, an HR manager had lost his life at Maruti's Manesar plant during arson, in which 148 are currently facing trial.

In fact, segment leaders like Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Hero MotoCorp have reported de-growth of 34.3 per cent, 45 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively giving a clear indication of a prolonged slowdown in the sector.